Three talented Fremont high school seniors have been awarded Art Scholarships through Olive Hyde Art Guild's annual competition. Scholarship Chairman Roberta Moody explains that winning students were selected based on their portfolios of work and must have been accepted at a college or university with plans to pursue higher education in the field of art. This year, 11 students from Fremont high schools submitted work for consideration by the Guild.

William Cheng from Irvington High School and recipient of the $2,000 First Place Award plans to attend Laguna College of Art and Design to study concept art used in the entertainment industry. William's art instructor, Kim Parker, describes him as one of the top ten artists she has encountered in her 18 years of teaching art. In addition, she states he has a rigorous work ethic and great leadership skills. While attending Irvington, William has participated in the fencing club, the gardening club, and has been selected to represent Irvington High for the Congressional Art Contest twice.

Two Honorable Mention Awards for $1,000 each were also presented. Angela Chen, also from Irvington High School and planning to attend Laguna College of Art and Design, will focus her studies on Game Art while hoping for a future career in the entertainment industry. Kim Parker, Angela's art instructor, has high praise for Angela's leadership skills and feels Angela has helped to make the IHS Art Club one of the most thriving clubs on campus. Last year Angela won the Congressional Art Competition, and her work was selected to be displayed in our nation's capital for a year. Angela enjoyed the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the ceremony honoring the exhibiting art students.

Sherry Xiao, the second Honorable Mention Award winner of $1,000, is a Mission San Jose High School graduating senior. Still giving her options a final consideration, Sherry will most likely attend Washington University in St. Louis. Edie Christensen, Sherry's art instructor at MSJHS, considers Sherry an exceptional artist and inspiring leader, as well as an outstanding student. "Her leadership skills have helped to build the Mission Chapter of the National Art Honor Society from five members to over 50 active members." Mrs. Christensen also credits Sherry with promoting outreach to the community. In addition, Sherry has received the Presidential Service Gold Award for volunteering with the Academy of Performing Arts Foundation, a Chinese dance organization. With the ACPAF Sherry has danced in local performances and gone to China to perform for children who were orphaned by an earthquake.

In addition to the student scholarship awards, a $500 stipend for classroom art supplies has been awarded to the art teacher of the first place winner, Kim Parker, from Irvington High School.